Urban Intersections: 18th St. and Paulina St., Chicago

by Vivien Park

The mixed imagery in this intersection, to me, captures the transitional state of Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Formerly Czech, now predominantly Mexican, recent years have seen an increasing amount of artists moving in to establish studios and galleries. The experimental and do-it-yourself spirit here are strongly felt and appreciated by many who seek an alternative from the commercial art district located about a mile away east on Halsted Street.